Warm up
McFadden’s at Citi Field: Nestled along the side of the Mets’ ballpark, this lively bar will make all those pesky pregame hours fly by. With outdoor seating, a DJ-powered dance floor, more than 15 TVs and even a quiet back room for families, McFadden’s is a home run for quiet and rowdy Mets fans. “It’s got a lot of TVs, a lot of girls” says Anthony Jericho, 30, from The Bronx. “It’s a big bar with a cool atmosphere, especially on game day.” The McFadden Citi Field VIP package includes one hour of open bar, a wings buffet and a ticket to the game ($35 to $45).
36-2 126th St., Flushing; 718-651-2220, mcfaddensballparkny.com
Stan’s Sports Bar
: If you want to spend your pregame drinking with the Yankees’ rowdiest fans, then pile into this massive bar, just across the street from the site of the old Yankee Stadium. “It’s packed. Shoulder to shoulder, elbow to elbow,” says Josh Joslin, 29, of New Jersey. “There’s something about being this close to Yankee Stadium that just completely changes the atmosphere of this place.” While there are a few booths along the side of the bar, the standing room is where the real action is, with Yankee fans circling through before heading into the stadium. Sports bars like this don’t stay empty for long, so get there at least two hours before the first pitch to nab a decent spot. Fight off the thirst with the Stan’s Special — a 24-ounce Coors Banquet tallboy ($8) — and light those taste buds up with the crispy chicken fingers ($8).
836 River Ave., The Bronx; 718-993-5548, stanssportsbar.com
Game time
Phoenix Park Restaurant and Lounge
: When the game is all that matters — and you don’t have a ticket — head to this UES spot for a relaxed atmosphere that won’t divide any attention during crucial innings. Distractions such as noisy background music or chatty patrons simply don’t exist. “It’s a great place to go if you want to relax and not be hassled and just have a beer,” says Mike Burt, 22, of Yorkville Heights. “For a game, it’s perfect.” With Mets memorabilia, including a signed Keith Hernandez jersey, adorning the walls and windows, baseball fanatics can enjoy the scenery along with the game. Nosh on the pulled-pork nachos ($12.95) to speed up those pesky commercials, and wash them down with a PBR tallboy ($4).
206 E. 67th St.; 212-717-8181, phoenixparkny.com
Dakota Roadhouse
: With a free round of Coors Light for every Yankee home run, downtown’s Dakota Roadhouse gives patrons the most buck for their batter. With stools lining the lengthy bar, fans can watch the game on the four 60-inch screens perched above the bar or the 10-foot backdrop for projections. “We’re big, and we’re loud,” says owner Andy Menschel (right), 58, of TriBeCa. “We have a 65-foot bar, and we’re a giant dose of roaring whoop-ass.” Try one of their juicy cheeseburgers, served on an English muffin ($9.50). And, pay your respect to the true star of the place — the owner’s Labrador, Dakota (left), an “avid Yankee fan,” Menschel says. Whenever the crowd starts cheering during a Yankee game, Dakota runs around the customers and barks. Samantha Waldron, 29, of Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, says the place can get pretty packed if a game is on during happy hour. “It’s fun, and it can get loud, but overall the vibe is lighthearted,” she says.
43 Park Place; 212-962-9800, dakotaroadhouse.com
Extra Innings
Snap Sports Bar
: Finish the Mets game with a little flair at this Chelsea spot. Beyond the intricate sports décor (booth seats are made out of the same leather as a football), Snap occasionally has an hour of open bar for select drinks if the Mets pull off a win. (The next open bar event is Aug. 12 at 8 p.m.) Postgame, the bar turns into more of a sporty nightclub postgame with a DJ and shimmering disco ball. “When the games are over, we turn the TVs off and turn the lights down to give it more of a lounge atmosphere,” says owner Justin McManus, 30, of Gramercy Park. “While we designed the place for sports, you can’t have a bar in New York City that closes at midnight.” Closing at 4 a.m. on Saturday nights, Snap lets the victory parties last all night. Refuel with boneless chicken wings ($9) and sip on an icey Cosmos Politician Cosmopolitan ($14).
248 W. 14th St.; 646-350-0539; snapsportsbar.com
Dive Bar
: Unwind for the tail end of the Yankees game and try one of Dive Bar’s 35 beers on tap, including brews from Israel, Singapore and Costa Rica. With a calm but friendly atmosphere, it’s a great place to avoid the final-inning stress. Be careful though . . . some passionate Yankee fans, who have been bellying up for nine innings, can get a little loud when the game doesn’t end with a win. Dan Whitesman, 56, of the Upper West Side, says he’s been coming to the Dive Bar for seven years. “It’s a good neighborhood bar,” he says. “It’s a great place to talk about the game.” Grab a growler of any Dive Bar draft (prices vary) to keep the party going. If you’ve worked up an appetite, try the macaroni and cheese ($8) or veggie tacos ($6), and wash it all down with an unfiltered Amber Ale, brewed specially for the Dive Bar by the Chatham Brewing Company.
732 Amsterdam Ave., Morningside Heights; 212-749-4358, divebarnyc.com